Badminton

Combining fast thinking, nimble manoeuvring and precision power, it’s little wonder that Badminton is considered one of the fastest sports to watch.

Known as the fastest competitive racket sport in the world, Badminton is played using a unique piece of equipment called a shuttlecock (or shuttle) – a rounded cork attached to an aerodynamic cone traditionally made of goose feathers.

The objective is for opponents to hit the shuttle between each other over a net. If the shuttle hits the ground, the opponent wins the point.

The winner of the game is the first player or pair to reach 21 points, unless the score reaches 20-20. In this instance, at 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game. At 29-all, the first player or pair to reach 30 wins the game. A match is the best of 3 games.

New Zealand Medallists

The New Zealand Team have had great success at Commonwealth Games Badminton medals (33), our most medaled athletes being Sara Runesten Hansen and Daniel Shirley both achieving four Commonwealth Games medals each.

Previous Commonwealth Games Appearances

Badminton was first contested at Kingston in 1966 and has been played at every Games since.